It seems a foregone conclusion that Nail Yakupov won’t be an
Oiler for much longer. It’s really just a couple weeks away now barring a
change of heart from both the player and the organization. I’m not holding my
breath. Where might he end up? I don’t have insider information, but there are
a few places that make sense.

Nail Yakupov has not delivered on his draft promise. When
you’re taken 1st Overall the expectation is to score. It has not
happened and it’s pretty clear from the player’s trade request that he feels
part of his failure to succeed falls at the feet of the organization. I’ve
echoed that sentiment here and other places many times. Linemates and ice-time matter.
The other kids were given the best available of both no matter the consequences
until they matured. Nail was given a steady dose of Letestu and cold bench to
warm.

That said, even people like me who are likely among his
greatest supporters aren’t under the impression that the Oilers are in
possession of a 50 goal scorer and primary driver of offense. Today Nail
Yakupov can best be described as a complementary winger who needs to play in
the top 6 if he’s going to positively impact scoring.

With that in mind, these three landing spots seem like a
good place for Nail Yakupov to end up.

The Canadiens are one of the teams most consistently linked
to Nail Yakupov and there’s good reason for it. They desperately need wingers
with any offensive ability to fill out the top 6 of their club.

Their top 4 forwards are Pacioretty, Galchenyuk, Plekanec,
and Gallagher. After Gallagher’s 40 points in 53 games, the next highest
scoring F is Desharnais’ 29 in 65 games. Desharnais is also going to be a UFA
next summer, so he may not be part of the long term future of the team.

Given that Nail Yakupov also has a history with Galchenyuk
from their days in the OHL, it’s certainly conceivable that someone in the Habs
organization might be willing to take a chance on Nail Yakupov. The two of them
had outstanding 16 year old seasons with the Sarnia Sting then followed them up
with significant injuries/missed time the next year.

With the chance to reunite the two players again (and for
relatively cheap) Montreal has the need on the wings and the pieces in place
that make taking a chance on Yakupov worthwhile.

The Hurricanes are much like the Habs in the sense that
there’s a need for offensively minded forwards. With Versteeg and Eric Staal
both moved mid-season, the offense of the Hurricanes is only four players deep
as well.

Skinner leads the pack then it’s tightly bunched with Rask,
Lindholm, and the lesser Staal. There are enough natural centermen there to
find a fit with Nail Yakupov and the drop off from the top four to the next highest scoring forward is steep. 

Despite gaining a reputation as a strong defensive team
(systems-wise), the Hurricanes both gave up a lot of goals and failed to score
enough on their own. The potential impact of adding Nail Yakupov to the top 6
won’t likely help the goals against but it could add to the scoring…if they’re
willing to play him with decent linemates.

With Carolina, the biggest draw for the team might be that
he’s inexpensive at 2.5 million and under club control after that deal is over.
This is a club in serious financial turmoil. As the owner’s sons sue him for millions used to help fund the club, there are many arguing the team shouldn’t stay in Carolina for much longer. 

Yakupov’s contract makes him particularly attractive to the
Hurricanes who are looking for offense on the cheap because they are on an
internal budget. Yak’s contract may also be attractive to clubs who are capped
out and looking for relief. Columbus is one such team.

Because they have already 68 million allocated to contracts,
it will be almost impossible to sign Seth Jones and keep their roster intact.
Changes need to be made.

As of yesterday it was reported that at the Blue Jackets’ request
Scott Hartnell has waived his no movement clause. My initial reaction is that
the Blue Jackets might be forced to move Hartnell for picks and prospects, but
it will be hard for many teams to take on an extra 4.75 million dollars with
the Cap going down.

Does a Hartnell-Yakupov swap make sense for both teams? The
3rd year remaining on Hartnell’s deal should scare Edmonton and the
downgrade in productivity will not make Columbus happy either. Both clubs are
unhappy enough that it might just make sense and the Jackets shave 2.25 million
that can be used to help pay Jones.

Just thinking out loud, not suggesting the deal should happen.

I don’t rightly know where Yakupov will end up, but my
expectation for a return is someone with a contract that is unsatisfactory to
their current club. Maybe it’s someone actually useful from a capped out club,
but much more likely it’s going to be a 3rd liner getting paid too
much. If it’s picks at the draft then something in the 2nd to 3rd
round range is probably safe to assume.

To me, the Canadiens seem like a good fit for Yak from a
hockey perspective. The Hurricanes are a good fit from a budgetary perspective.
It should be surprising to nobody why they come up most often when Yakupov’s
name comes up in trade discussion.

Given Edmonton’s constant struggles and the rotation of coaches this player has had through the early years of his NHL career, I’m sure there are at least a couple of teams who think something of value can be salvaged from Nail Yakupov.